The sickness benefit is a financial support provided to compensate for the loss of income experienced by workers who are temporarily unable to work due to illness, as outlined in a practical guide from Social Security.
Eligibility for Sickness Benefit
- Employees in contracted positions who contribute to Social Security, including domestic service workers.
- Self-employed individuals, whether freelancers or sole proprietors.
- Beneficiaries of the Voluntary Social Insurance who:
– Work on ships for foreign companies (national maritime workers and watchmen)
– Are scientific research grant holders - Beneficiaries receiving compensation for work-related accidents or occupational diseases who are employed and contributing to Social Security, provided the compensation is less than the sickness benefit (the benefit is the difference between the benefit value and the compensation).
- Beneficiaries receiving pensions for work-related accidents or occupational diseases as long as they are working and contributing to Social Security.
- Beneficiaries receiving indemnity pensions provided they are employed and contributing to Social Security.
- Beneficiaries in pre-retirement status who are employed and contributing to Social Security.
- Home workers.
- Disability or old-age pensioners engaged in public functions provided their pension is suspended.
- Workers belonging to the economic group of Banco Português de Negócios (BPN).
Amount Received
The amount varies based on the duration of the illness:
| Duration of Illness | Receives |
| Up to 30 days | 55% of the reference salary |
| 31 to 90 days | 60% of the reference salary |
| 91 to 365 days | 70% of the reference salary |
| More than 365 days | 75% of the reference salary |
